Davie Honors Volunteers at Luncheon Today

Today Davie honored our volunteers at a Luncheon at Tropical Acres Restaurant. Volunteers of all ages and from all areas of Town Service attended. Davie depends heavily on public spirited individuals who give of their time to serve others. Thank you Davie volunteers!

Photo: Mayor Truex and his table at the Volunteer Luncheon. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Fire Rescue Department Recruit Training Program Graduation

This week I attended the Davie Fire Rescue Department Recruit Training Program Graduation Ceremony. Today's firefighters are better trained, equipped and educated than ever before. The training is a rigorous program in which only the best firefighter candidates succeed. Thirteen men and women joined Davie's Fire Rescue Department at the Graduation.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Town of Davie Fire-Rescue Department is a full service professional organization committed to reducing and mitigating the risks to life and property in our community. Through Fire Administration, Fire Rescue Operations, Emergency Medical Services and ambulance transportation, Fire Prevention and Life Safety, Special Operations and Training the department responds to residents’ needs for all emergency and non-emergency services.

Twenty four hours a day the department continually deploys a combination of emergency vehicles from fire stations strategically located throughout the Town:

* Fire Station No. 38 is located at 6905 Orange Drive and services the Eastern, Southeastern and downtown areas;

* Fire Station No. 65 is located at 1200 Nob Hill Road and services the East and West Central area including unincorporated Pine Island Ridge;

* Fire Station No. 68 is located at 3600 Flamingo Road and services the Western and Central area;

* Fire Station No. 91 is located at 6101 SW 148th Avenue and services the Southwest and Western areas including the Town of Southwest Ranches;

* Fire Station No. 104 is located at Oakes Road and State Road 441 is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2006.

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OfficeMax Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

This week I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Grand opening of OfficeMax at Lakeside Townshops at 5810 S. University Dr. #116, Davie (the Target shopping center). OfficeMax is a great new option for Davie residents and businesses. Easy access, great staff, competitive prices... what more could you ask for? Oh, and also, they have the same great looking stone fascade as the rest of the shopping center. Good luck, OfficeMax!

Photo: Office Max'es new manager (center, holding scissors), together with Davie-Cooper City Chamber of Commerce President, Robert Menconi (far left), Mayor Tom Truex (center), and other corporate representatives of OfficeMax. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie's D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) students graduate

I attended D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) graduations in the past week at Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary and Hawkes Bluff Elementary.

In my opinion, this is one of the most important programs which the Town of Davie sponsors. The D.A.R.E. program, taught by Davie Police officers, helps students learn to make positive choices in dealing with peer pressure, drug use, alcohol abuse, tobacco use and violence.

Photo: Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary is located at 6501 SW 39th Ave., Davie






Photo: Hawkes Bluff Elementary is located at 5900 SW 160th Avenue in Davie. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Mystery Photo of the Week--Where in Davie Was This Photo Taken?

Was this photo taken?

A. On the bank of the South New River (C-11 Canal)?
B. At Wolf Lake?
C. At Davie Beach
D. None of the above

Click "MORE", below, for the correct Answer...


Photo: Tom and Janet Truex biking last weekend--can you identify where??? [*click* photo to enlarge]

More...

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Easter Sunrise Service at the Pyramid in Davie

Pastor Mark Coleman of New Life Baptist Church, on Pine Island Road in Davie, preached the Sermon at the Community Sunrise Service on Easter Sunday. This annual event starts at 6:30 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetary at I-595 and Davie Road in Davie (outside the Pyramid). A number of local churches participate in this Easter Service. The Community Service has been held for over 20 years. My family has attended most of them (this year included) .

Photo: Pastor Mark Coleman of New Life Baptist Church

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Davie's 26th Annual Egg Hunt at Robbins Lodge

Davie's annual egg hunt was the day before Easter this year at Robbins Lodge. Children through age 8 participated in the egg "hunt." Actually, it was more of a "step out and pick up the eggs," rather than a hunt. That is, there were plenty of eggs for all of the kids--placed out in a big open pasture. And every child received a bag of treats, whether or not they found an egg.

The egg hunt is a great event for families. Our Special Events staff makes ample use of volunteers and discounted/donated goods, so that the entire event has a pleasantly small budget as well!

Photo: Davie's 26th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Robbins Lodge [*click* photo to enlarge]

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The Agenda for the April 19, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on April 19, 2006. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. Employee recognition of Marge Jozwiak. (Agenda Item 3.1).
   
2. I-595 Alternatives: A presentation by the Florida Department of Transportation. (Agenda Item 3.6).
   
3. Proclamation: Days of Remembrance to remember the victims of the Holocaust. (Agenda Item 4.5).
   
4. Proclamation: to remember long time Davie activist, Dimitry "Dean" Alexander. (Agenda Item 4.8).
   
5. Agreement to retain forensic auditor. (Agenda Item 4.14).
   
6. Site Plan for "Rodeo Village" at 5250 S. University Drive, Davie. The proposal is for forty-seven (47) townhouse units, a recreation area an equestrian facility, and one (1) custom single family home. The subject site consists of 7.029 gross acres (306,194 square feet), and is generally located between University Drive and SW 76 Avenue, 7/10 miles north of Stirling Road. (Agenda Item 4.24).
   
7. Vacation of Right of Way which will likely include continued discussion of the location of proposed trails at the new County park, "Long Key - Flamingo Park." (Agenda Item 6.3).
   
8. Code Amendment merging Child Safety Board and School Advisory Board. (Agenda Item 6.4).

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.

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Davie Selects Executive Search Firm to Help Fill the Town Administrator Position

Tonight, at our Special Meeting, the Davie Town Council selected the executive search firm of Slavin Management Consultants to help fill our Town Administrator's position. Some of the points covered in their presentation:

1. They are committed to seeking a diverse group of applicants, including women and minorities
   
2. They propose a national search, but we may choose to focus more locally
3. Slavin Management Consultants boasts extensive municipal experience
   
4. A two year "guaranty" if the applicant selected does not work out
   
5. A 60-90 day selection process
   

I was pleased with the selection of this firm, and look forward to working with them in hiring Davie's permanent Town Administrator.

Moving forward with a legitimate, professional search process for our permanent Town Administrator has been one of my top priorities for my second term as Mayor.

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Town of Davie Meets with Community in United Ranches

The Town of Davie met with residents of United Ranches tonight to discuss their upcoming annexation vote. Davie was represented by every department, the Town Administrator, Mayor Tom Truex, and Councilmembers Susan Starkey and Brian Caletka. We received a very warm reception and extremely positive feedback as we answered questions and discussed the benefits to United Ranches to annex into Davie. Davie's relaxed hometown semi-rural lifestyle is an obvious match for the residents of United Ranches, particularly when compared with the less than desirable alternative.

The Town of Davie worked hard, in Court and with the Florida Legislature secure for residents of United Ranches the right to vote to choose their Town[/city]. Fortunately, we finally overcame Cooper City's efforts to deny the residents the right to vote on this issue. I urge all United Ranches Residents to study the alternatives and to vote in the annexation referendum. As always, the Town's staff and Town Council welcomes United Ranches residents to write or call with questions or to discuss the annexation.

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Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 14, 2006

The Town of Davie's 26th Annual Easter Egg Hunt is tomorrow at 9:00 AM at Robbin's Lodge. Ages For Hunt: 0 to 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 8 Only.

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HispanicFest is a Big Hit in Davie

This year, HispanicFest moved to Broward Community College's Central Campus. This event attracted thousands of people to share in hispanic culture, cuisine and music.

Photo: BCC President, Dr. Larry Anthony Calderon (left), pictured with Mayor Tom Truex at HispanicFest, 2006 [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Relay for Life at Western High School

Last weekend I represented the Town of Davie--together with Councilwoman Susan Starkey--at the annual Davie-Cooper City Relay for Life at Western High School. This event helps raise money with the American Cancer Society for research and treatment for cancer. Councilwoman Susan Starkey is a dedicated supporter of this event--she and her family spent countless hours helping to make the Relay for Life a great success again this year.

Photo: Opening Ceremony for the 2006 Davie-Cooper City Relay for Life. Mayor Tom Truex and Councilwoman Susan Starkey on stage, at left, as the Western High School ROTC present the colors. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Mayor Tom Truex joins "Technology Trot" at Flamingo Elementary School

Last week I participated in the annual Technology Trot at Flamingo Elementary School. The funds raised by this event are used to buy computers and related technology items at the school.

Photo: Principal LeeAnn Jones (left, back row), Flamingo Elementary students and Mayor Tom Truex (far right) prepare for the Technology Trot

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Big Davie Bicycle Rally last Weekend in Davie

Last weekend we rode in another semi-annual Davie Bike Rally. The route went from Robbins Lodge Park west past Flamingo Gardens to 136th Avenue; looped south to Linear Park, along Orange Drive, and back to Robbins Lodge. A very scenic route. The next bike rally, already in the planning stages, in tenatively set to begin and end at Pine Island Park.

Photo: Semi-Annual Davie Bike Rally, last weekend [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Davie Economic Development Council Annual Meeting

Recently I attended the Annual Meeting of the Davie Economic Development Council, together with Vice-Mayor Mike Crowley and Councilwoman Susan Starkey.

"The Davie Economic Development Council (DEDC) works to increase capital investment, work-force creation and retention, income generation, a stable and diversified tax base, and economic growth in the Town of Davie."

Photo: Davie Economic Development Committee Chairman, Dr. Irv Rosenbaum addresses the annual meeting.

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Alan Keyes speaks at annual banquet of Hope Pregnancy Centers of Broward County

Recently Janet and I attended the annual fundraising banquet of Hope Pregnancy Centers of Broward. Guest speaker, Alan Keyes, gave a thought provoking speech, touching on where our nation stands today and where we need to move in the future.

Some of the services provided by Hope Pregnancy Centers are:

• FREE pregnancy test
  
• Peer Counseling
  
• Limited Obstetric Ultrasound
  
• On-going friendship and support
  
• Community agency referrals
  
• Baby clothing and supplies
  
• Fetal development information
  
• Parenting classes
  
• Housing referrals
  
• Adoption education
  
• Post-abortion support
  
• Maternity clothing and supplies
  
• Prenatal and childbirth classes
  
• Referrals for medical care
  
• Referrals for legal help

Hope Pregnancy Centers provide alternatives to abortions. Hope Pregnancy Centers do not charge for any of its client services and do not refer anyone for an abortion.

Photo: Alan Keyes pictured with Mayor Tom Truex [*click* photo to enlarge]

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Mayor Tom Truex sworn in to begin second term.

Last week I was sworn in to begin my second term as Mayor of Davie. My top priority as we move forward is to clean up the problems we have had in Town Hall. We are well on our way to doing just that. There are three important steps we have taken already:

1. We have hired a firm to undertake a comprehensive review of Town purchasing and other financial procedures.
   
2. We are hiring a forensic auditor to perform an exhaustive review to identify exactly what went wrong in Davie, and to find any additional problems
   
3. We are moving toward a fair and open search for our new Town Administrator, using a professional search firm.
   

Frankly, I caution residents to expect reports of more problems being uncovered before we are finished with this process. Why? Because we are making a dedicated, deliberate effort to try to ferret out any problems with a view toward fixing those problems. I imagine a government body could just pretend that the problem was isolated with a rogue employee. One of the local daily newspapers even offered us cover, had we chosen that route. As painful as the process may be, we ARE going to fix the problems which apparently allowed a Town Employee to misappropriate hundreds of thousands of dollars (Disclaimer: no trial has taken place in that individual's criminal trial. From a legal point of view, I will add that the charges are "allegations" at this point.)

Photo: Mayor Tom Truex, with family, being sworn in by Judge Fred Berman. [*click* photo to enlarge]

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The Agenda for the April 5, 2006 Davie Town Council Meeting is online.

The Davie Town Council Meets at Davie Town Hall for our regular meeting on April 5, 2006. The Agenda is online.

Note the following items, in which there may be general public interest*:

1. Resolution Regarding League of City Proposals.. (Agenda Item 4.2).
   
2. Homelessness. A resolution supporting Broward County's ten year plan to end homelessness. (Agenda Item 4.16)
3. Turnpike Interchange. A resolution urging the Florida Department of Transportation to mitigate noise and traffic, etc.; relating to proposed interchange at Stirling and the Turpike. (Agenda Item 4.17).
   
4. Proposed criteria for spending of Davie's Open Space Bond. (Agenda Item 4.22).
   
5. Discussion of Community Chest. (Agenda Item 8.1).
   
6. Discussion: Garbage contract. (Agenda Item 9.1).
   
7. Discussion: Noise from Seminole Hard Rock Cafe. (Agenda Item 9.2).

*Items on the agenda may be tabled. Links to agenda items are PDF files and require a PDF Reader. This blOg does not constitute an official notice of any sort from the Town of Davie. If you want information about any particular agenda item, you should consult the official documents provided by the Town Clerk's office.

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Grand Opening in Davie for "Rick Case Luxe Collection."

Recently I represented the Town of Davie at the grand opening of the new Rick Case Luxe Collection in west Davie. Rick Case now sells exotic pre-owned automobiles including Merceds-Benz, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maserati, Lotus, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Bently.

Photo: (Left to right) Rita Case, Rick Case and Mayor Tom Truex

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